'Boy Meets World' star Danielle Fishel opens up about recent health battle and delivers an urgent bit of advice

Fishel, who was born and grew up in Mesa, spoke about her summer scare.

PUBLISHED OCT 25, 2024

Since 2018, Fishel has shifted her career from acting to directing.

Phoenix, Arizona: Mesa-born Danielle Fishel, best known for her role as Topanga in 'Boy Meets World', spoke to 12 News about her recent health battles and delivered an important health message. Fishel, who was born and grew up in Mesa before moving to California, spoke about how a routine mammogram this summer helped her catch her breast cancer at a very early stage. She acted quickly and after two lumpectomies in August and September, Fishel is now cancer-free.

Danielle Fishel attends the LA Premiere Of Amazon's 'Emergency; at Directors Guild Of America in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)

Fishel explained that she was one of the 56% of people who discover cancer through routine screenings, with her diagnosis coming at an early stage.

"I am living proof that having those annual exams can be the difference between life or death. So if you grew up watching me on your TV screen, it might be time for you to book a mammogram or colonoscopy and 'Topanga' would be the friend to tell you to do it," Fishel said. "I'm happy to stand in her place and tell you myself to please make those appointments."

Since 2018, Fishel has shifted her career from acting to directing, with projects like 'Lopez vs. Lopez' for NBC and 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' for Disney.

Fishel married Jensen Karp November 4, 2018. Their first child was born on June 24, 2019, a month early and spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit due to fluid in his lungs. On August 29, 2021, Fishel and Karp welcomed the arrival of their second son.

(L-R) Will Friedle, Danielle Fishel, and Rider Strong attend the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

Around 65% of women aged 40 and older in the US reported having a mammogram in the past two years, though this varies by age, race, and geographic location.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women aged between 45 and 54 get annual mammograms, while those over continue yearly screenings or switch to every other year based on their health and personal preference.

While Approximately one in eight women in the US will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, mammograms are estimated to reduce breast cancer deaths by 30-40% in women over 50 due to early detection.

It must, however, be noted that roughly 10% of mammograms result in false positives, with higher rates among younger women and women with dense breast tissue. Additional testing (like ultrasounds or MRIs) is often required for clarification.